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Ole Miss Comes From Behind to Defeat Vanderbilt 24-21

Ole Miss Comes From Behind to Defeat Vanderbilt 24-21

8/30/2003

Erik Davis catches a pass from Cutler that set up the final touchdown for Vanderbilt

Ole Miss Comes From Behind to Defeat Vanderbilt 24-21 8-30-03
Erik Davis had one TD on six catches for 138 yards

On a hot and humid day the Rebels of Ole Miss outlasted the Commodores as they scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to top Vanderbilt 24-21 Saturday afternoon.

Entering the fourth quarter, Vanderbilt was sitting on the two yard line with the score tied at 14. After a rush by tailback Norval McKenzie for no gain, Jay Cutler hit Brandon Smith in the corner of the endzone to put the Commodores up 21-14 with 14:20 to go in the game.

Trailing by seven with eleven minutes to play, Eli Manning marched the Rebels down the field with the help of a costly penalty on the Vanderbilt 23 yard line. Manning then hit Mike Espy on the sideline who slipped the Commodore cornerback and raced to the endzone to tie the game at 21.

Vanderbilt mustered one first down on the next possession before punting to the Rebels. The Vanderbilt defense, tired and battered, toughened up and forced a fourth down on the VU 36. Then Nichols nailed his second field goal of the game in excess of 50 yards. This attempt split the uprights from an astounding 54 yards out and sealed the victory for the Rebels.

There was a steady stream of players for both teams heading to locker room all game to receive treatment for the extreme heat at Vanderbilt Stadium.

“We were tired. We were tired in the fourth quarter”, according to Vanderbilt head coach Bobby Johnson.

On one such occasion, senior quarterback Benji Walker replaced Cutler midway through the third quarter. On his only play of the season, Walker connected with Davis for a 50 yard strike to put the ‘Dores ahead 14-6.

Highlighting the day for the Commodores was the outstanding tandem of Cutler and Davis. Cutler threw for two touchdowns on 20 of 32 passing for 248 yards. Even more impressive was sophomore Erik Davis who scored one touchdown on six catches for 138 yards.

With all the hype resting on Manning coming into the game, Cutler matched Manning stat for stat throughout the game.

When asked about the play of Cutler vs Manning, Coach Johnson said “I like my quarterback, we do not have to apologize for Jay.”

The Commodores return to action this weekend as they host Tennessee-Chattanooga Saturday night at 6 pm. Get you tickets by calling 322-GOLD or go online at www.vucommodores.com.